adults and kid with ADD,ADHD...

[Funball]

i have ADD and it makes it hard for me to stay focused in line on certain rides sometimes and i tend to wonder off and not stay with my group or just get anxious waiting..

my doctor who treats my add says that her kid has ADHD and they went to city all at DRL here in Cali, and they got a pass that let them get on the rides with out being in line..so is this pass thing i heard about true?

this is for real ,i am not trying to find ways to cut the line.

 

[cm8]

i have ADD and it makes it hard for me to stay focused in line on certain rides sometimes and i tend to wonder off and not stay with my group or just get anxious waiting..

my doctor who treats my add says that her kid has ADHD and they went to city all at DRL here in Cali, and they got a pass that let them get on the rides with out being in line..so is this pass thing i heard about true?

this is for real ,i am not trying to find ways to cut the line.

A GAC is not intended to cut the line or shorten the wait in line either. It is meant to provide equal access to people that require additional assistance. Did you ask your Doctor what she meant by that? I would think that she would be bending over backwards to help you since you and her kids share the same needs. If you check the sticky at the top of the forum (disability) it will lead you to the FAQS that Sue in MN did. Have a great night.

PS. Welcome to the DIS!

 

[SueM in MN]

A GAC is not intended to cut the line or shorten the wait in line either. It is meant to provide equal access to people that require additional assistance. Did you ask your Doctor what she meant by that? I would think that she would be bending over backwards to help you since you and her kids share the same needs. If you check the sticky at the top of the forum (disability) it will lead you to the FAQS that Sue in MN did. Have a great night.

PS. Welcome to the DIS!

If you don’t see the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board, you can follow the link in my signature to get there.
Post #6 of that thread is about Guest Assistance Cards.

 

[lovetoscrap]

You really can't "wander off" once you get in line. There will be people in front of and in back of you and railings or ropes on either side. If you are not paying attention when the line moves the people behind you will let you know it is time to move up. And if you are going in a group they should be able to help you keep up.

There is a ton of stuff to look at in most of the line areas that should keep you busy and talking to your group or those around you (if they want to chat) should keep you from feeling anxious.

Otherwise a good touring plan like from Tour Guide Mike, RideMax or touringplans.com along with good use of Fastpass should help you to avoid too long of a wait.

 

[Funball]

ohh thank you guys!

i will read the FAQ thing.. for the most part the anxiety associated with my add really gets to me sometimes, and it's not just when i am waiting in a line..sooo i am sure this doesn't make sense to anybody.but it is for real, and since i do share some common traits with my doctors kid, i did not ask her what she mean, darn i should of!

but thank you all for the help!

 

[MomofSixinSC]

If you haven't checked it out before, you might want to look into the Feingold Program. http://www.feingold.org/

When my husbnad follows the Program, his symptoms disappear.

 

[Funball]

OHH OK


thank you all of you! i will READ those FAQ's about the GAC. to put it straight i got ADD, it doesn't seem complicated to some people. i tend to go with other people to the parks, but i also go alot by myself.. but anyhow on with the thread!
*****************
..So i just read those FAQ's, verry helpfull! very informative. i don't know if GAC is really going to help me, i think i may need to just "grin and bear" it as i have been doing for a long time. and umm i didn't mention this before because i don't really kow you guys maybe i should of because this is a disabilities thread, i also have asperger's syndrome, it's a form of autism... so although the GAC worked my doctors ADHD kid, i don't think it will help me much. ( oh yeah if u notice sometime i can't spell either! lol and mixed my letters around!)

ohh there is a program.. hmm i will check that out, i lived with all my life, i am 30 now. i think i have it under control but certain things just bring it out!

 

[clanmcculloch]

The area where a GAC might be helpful is for the anxiety. I'm assuming it's part of your Asperger Syndrome and not your ADHD. If the anxiety has to do with sensory issues such as being touched/bumped or with the need to move around yet you can't when in line surrounded by so many people, or if the anxiety is social having to do with crowds then explain this to the CM at Guest Relations. There are some alternate waiting areas where it's quieter and not so crowded making it easier to cope with the waits.

The thing is, the GAC will only do so much. It can't get you out of crowds between rides. Some of the alternate waiting areas are still pretty crowded. If it's a really busy time then the alternate waiting area might be just as bad as the regular area. I REALLY like the service TourGuide Mike. TGM tells you how to avoid the crowds. I couldn't believe it but it really does work. We were at WDW over Christmas this past year and I was shocked when we literally walked into Space Mountain through the regular line without stopping until we were at the front of the line (no GAC used). This wasn't any kind of special accomodation; it was knowing exactly when to be there. If you go to the site using the link on the Theme Park board of the DIS (TGM is a board sponsor) then you'll save $3 off the regular $21.95 price. No I don't work for them or get a kick back for sending people over. I'm just that huge of a fan and know how well it works. It's become a much more important tool for us than the GAC for my daughter with Asperger Syndrome (though I do still get the GAC and use it on occasion).

 

[Funball]

If you haven't checked it out before, you might want to look into the Feingold Program. http://www.feingold.org/

When my husbnad follows the Program, his symptoms disappear.

.... I REALLY like the service TourGuide Mike. TGM tells you how to avoid the crowds. I couldn't believe it but it really does work.

these look like good suggestion also i will try them also!! thanks to the mods who gave there info, and everyone else! now i just got to find the tour guide mike link.

also it's great to know that this dicsussion board as soo much info to give! yeah!! i really appreciate it. and like i said i will take all the info i just got and see what i can do to help my disabilities. now let's all hug!

 

[lovetoscrap]

Oh, I just realized you said you are going to DisneyLAND? In California??? Right?

I am not sure that Tour Guide Mike or Touring Plans cover those parks?? No idea about RideMax either. They could, I have just never checked. But we do also have a set of forums dedicated to Disneyland so you may want to check those out and see what those veteran park goers might suggest as the best way to tour with the least amount of lines. If your schedule is flexible you probably want to also try to go during the least busy times of year to help with the crowds also.

It sounds like you do a great job adapting to your needs. Is there something that you enjoy that could help distract you from anxiety causing situations, like a hand held video game, or a book to read, or paper and pencil to draw with? Something that you can carry in a backpack and can focus you and help you to calm down or distract you?

 

[Funball]

It sounds like you do a great job adapting to your needs. Is there something that you enjoy that could help distract you from anxiety causing situations, like a hand held video game, or a book to read, or paper and pencil to draw with? Something that you can carry in a backpack and can focus you and help you to calm down or distract you?

you know what lovestoscrap? i never though of something like that.. hmmm. i usualy whip out my phone and text or post photos to facebook!! that usually keeps me busy, the one thing that is hard to not do is chew on my cuticls of my nails(its an anxiety thing), so that usually occupies me also! LOL

and yes it's disneyland in california not WDW, but i am a passholder, and i have just learned to DEAL with the crowds and such, i just wondered about the GAC since my doctor had mentioned it,maybe she though it be better for me.. hmm anyhow i will go to city hall and see what they say at dLR in california when i go this saturday.. its not a lost cause if they can't help me.

 

[anonymousegirl]

I don't know about Tourguide Mike, but RideMax offers a Disneyland/California Adventure program that is similar to TGM in which you imput your attractions and it will create a touring plan based on the exact date you're going and the attractions you want to see. It even allows for repeat rides and shows and parades.

 

[Funball]

I don't know about Tourguide Mike, but RideMax offers a Disneyland/California Adventure program that is similar to TGM in which you imput your attractions and it will create a touring plan based on the exact date you're going and the attractions you want to see. It even allows for repeat rides and shows and parades.

hmm ok ridemax, i just wrote it down and i will try that also!

tour guide mike ws for WDW, and i don't live in florida! i wish i did! gosh going to WDW every weekend would be fun

 

[kaffinito]

i usualy whip out my phone and text or post photos to facebook!! that usually keeps me busy, the one thing that is hard to not do is chew on my cuticls of my nails(its an anxiety thing), so that usually occupies me also! LOL .

I have solitaire on my phone, the repetition helps calm me down and keeps me occupied. You could also do another simple repetitious game - they help with the need to bolt.

 

[SueM in MN]

We don't have as much information about Ridemax at Disneyland, but Ridemax actually started at Disneyland, so should be helpful.

At Disneyland, many of the older attractions are not wheelchair/ECV accessible, so any alternative waiting areas are sometimes quite full.
That can happen at WDW too. A few weeks ago, we were at Turtle Talk at WDW and were in the waiting area used for guests with wheelchairs, ECVs and other special needs. That area is used so that they can have those guests enter the show room first and get settled (they don't get into an earlier show or have advantage with seats).
When we have been there in the past, there were only 2 or possibly 3 other parties with us. The last time, I counted 29 people in the room.

So, other ways to meet your needs may be more helpful.

 

[deerhart]

ohh thank you guys!

i will read the FAQ thing.. for the most part the anxiety associated with my add really gets to me sometimes, and it's not just when i am waiting in a line..sooo i am sure this doesn't make sense to anybody.but it is for real, and since i do share some common traits with my doctors kid, i did not ask her what she mean, darn i should of!

but thank you all for the help!

No no some of us can completely understand. Its just that our anxiety manifests differently (it makes me a planner and a perfectionist.. nothing has made my life easier then my perfectionism waning as I have aged). My son's anxiety can be just awful. He's also a planner and his perfectionism is way worse then mine ever was.

I deal with most of my anxiety through planning and reminding myself that I cannot control every aspect of everything (sometimes it does work!) because my anxiety is driven by control.

 

[Funball]

No no some of us can completely understand. Its just that our anxiety manifests differently (it makes me a planner and a perfectionist.. nothing has made my life easier then my perfectionism waning as I have aged). My son's anxiety can be just awful. He's also a planner and his perfectionism is way worse then mine ever was.

I deal with most of my anxiety through planning and reminding myself that I cannot control every aspect of everything (sometimes it does work!) because my anxiety is driven by control.

umm omg i am a planner!! i am soo OCD about planning down to the detail. like when i go to disneyland i got to have a plan, like what ride i am doing first, then when i am eating and where,then what i am going to do afterwards...it's like a schedule VERY structured though! It annoys people--but that is also why i like to just hang out by myself! but with a plan i feel lost!

 

[clanmcculloch]

umm omg i am a planner!! i am soo OCD about planning down to the detail. like when i go to disneyland i got to have a plan, like what ride i am doing first, then when i am eating and where,then what i am going to do afterwards...it's like a schedule VERY structured though! It annoys people--but that is also why i like to just hang out by myself! but with a plan i feel lost!

If you ever go to WDW you will LOVE TourGuide Mike. It's an OCDD (Obsessive Compulsive Disney Disorder) planner's heaven I tell you!!! I love it!! You should see the spreadsheets that I have. I even laminate my sheets so they won't get ruined when we carry them around. The forums are filled with like minded OCDD folks as well. There are even discussions about how OCDD we all are and how we're all proud of it. We're all very like-minded folks.

 

[Funball]

If you ever go to WDW you will LOVE TourGuide Mike. It's an OCDD (Obsessive Compulsive Disney Disorder) planner's heaven I tell you!!! I love it!! You should see the spreadsheets that I have. I even laminate my sheets so they won't get ruined when we carry them around. The forums are filled with like minded OCDD folks as well. There are even discussions about how OCDD we all are and how we're all proud of it. We're all very like-minded folks.

YEAH i am totaly starting to see that!

 

[Funball]

ohh i forgot to say that i got my GAC, and umm the girl was totally understanding ..she said that definantly someone with my "stuff" should have one, and i only need to use it when i feel that i need to! anyhow what a difference it made in my anxiety!